The actual genesis of The Beatles is a bit nebulous and could be argued. However, most Beatles historians cite the date of July 6, 1957 as the official beginning of The Beatles.John Lennon, a Liverpool guitar player (and local troublemaker, part-time shoplifter and full-time egomaniac) had been playing a few local gigs in the area for a year or so. John’s initial band was called The Blackjacks, consisting of a few of his mates from school. Soon thereafter, the band’s name was changed to The Quarrymen, in honor of their present school, Quarry Bank High School.